Political parties in Colorado that want to operate independent expenditures free of contribution limits received the green-light on Thursday in an opinion offered by the secretary of state’s office.

The opinion, penned by Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Staiert, explicitly states, “a political party may form an independent expenditure committee … and may raise funds in any amount from any permissible source.”

This comes in response to a petition filed in December by the Colorado Republican party asking for guidance from the secretary of state’s office on an effort to create an independent expenditure to solicit unlimited funds. Those funds from the independent expenditure could then be pumped into elections to support candidates running for governor or legislative seats.

The decision for the party to seek administrative confirmation from secretary of state’s office came out of concern that organizations would file complaints against the party if it moved forward without first seeking consultation. Still, Staiert notes that her advisory opinion is not binding in a court of law.

In the years since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited contributions for some groups, the Colorado GOP has felt weakened by the state’s campaign finance laws parties must adhere to. State law places limits on how much cash the parties can collect from individual donors, businesses or tax-exempt groups, also known as 527s. Each of those have state contribution limits of $3,400 per calendar year.

Republican Congressman Mike Coffman took a shot Thursday at his challenger for the 6th Congressional District, Democrat Andrew Romanoff, after a Quinnipiac poll showed support for the Affordable Care Act has dipped since November.

The poll showed that 60 percent of Colorado voters oppose Obamacare compared to 56 percent on Nov. 20. Only 37 percent support the ACA as of Thursday, compared to 40 percent in November.

“After nearly 350,000 Coloradans received health insurance cancellation notices thanks to Obamacare and a nonpartisan report found Obamacare would kill over 2 million jobs, it’s no wonder Coloradans are so opposed to this terrible piece of legislation,” Coffman said in a statement. “It’s amazing to me that after all of this news my opponent thinks Obamacare didn’t go far enough.”

Democrats, however, have said that number is misleading because the majority of those “cancellations” included offers to renew current plans.

Romanoff answered back, saying the focus should be on improving health care and not politics.

“The message from Colorado — in this poll and every other — is loud and clear: Stop playing politics. Start solving problems. Let’s work together to curb the cost and improve the quality of health care, instead of just pointing fingers and picking fights.”

House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso, a Loveland Republican, and his son, Zackary Mark, born Wednesday. (Provided by DelGrosso)

House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso knows a little something about deliveries — he is in the pizza business, after all — but even was surprised to find out that his son weighed in 7 pounds 8 ounces despite being 10 days early.

Zackary Mark DelGrosso

The Loveland Republican reports that his wife, Amber, and his son, Zackary Mark, are both doing great. It’s his fourth child and her first.

Zackary Mark arrived at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Medical Center of the Rockies. And if that weren’t enough, the couple is moving into a new home on Saturday.

Enstrom Candies is known for its toffee and most Valentine’s Days each lawmaker gets a small box of the tasty treat from the Grand Junction company. Not this year. All is not right in Candy Land. Enstrom said the company is so upset that Ferrandino keeps using the fruitcake line that other lawmakers have to suffer and won’t get their box of toffee.

“He’s offending somebody who creates jobs, and pays a good wage and full benefits,” Enstrom said.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.